Page 42 of Full Throttle

Brian's face grew tight. “My decision is final. She’s driving.”

“You’re new to the NASCAR club. Being new is going to come with its own set of challenges. Colby’s a woman, and she’s . . .” Liam hesitated.

“See, this is what I was talking about yesterday about you and Dad. She’s black. Damn. She’s BLACK!” Brian said out of frustration. “Can you even say the word, and why should it matter?”

Liam snapped. “Of course, I can say it. Colby James is a black woman who is also an incredible talent, and it doesn’t matter. Today was fun, but I need you to remember why we are here in the first place. Your goal is to win this race. It’s messed up that NASCAR won’t give her a fair shot, but that is not our problem. It’s bigger than us. Don’t lose sight of the real reason we are here, and that is to make sure ownership of our company remains in Lockwood hands.”

Brian was irritated. “What am I supposed to do? She earned the chance to be our lead driver.”

“She did, but you’re going to have to figure out how to undo it.” A call was coming through to Liam’s cell. Before he answered, he needed to make sure Brian understood his point. “Colby James cannot compete in Atlanta.”

Angrily, Brian stuck his hands in his front jean pockets. He needed to get away from Liam. He stalked back across the street, leaving his brother behind.

Liam didn’t follow. He would give Brian time to calm down. Instead, he lifted his phone to his ear. “Lockwood, do you have the projections?”

Chapter 14

“I already canceled my flight for tonight. I am about to head over to Georgia’s.” Brian had had some time to cool down and think about his earlier conversation with Liam. As much as he wanted him to be wrong, ultimately, Brian knew Liam was right. There was no point in being angry with him and belaboring the point.

Brian rubbed the back of his neck as he stood from his desk. “Are you coming?”

Liam had been stewing over Brian’s words ever since he’d said them. Liam was nothing like his father. Or was he? It bothered Liam to think maybe he was more like his father than he realized. He needed some alone time to get his thoughts together. “I have a few more details to finalize regarding security, and then I have a conference call. You go on.”

“You’re doing that OCD thing.” Brian rolled his head around his shoulders. “Liam, Markos has it under control.”

Liam lifted his head from the report he’d been reviewing on his laptop. “I’m not OCD, just cautious.”

“And overbearing. A control freak and too many other descriptors all of the same ilk.”

“What are you talking about?” Liam asked, truly confused.

“You seem to have forgotten that Lockwood racing ismycompany. Did you even think to consult me before you picked up the phone and started handling things?”

“You’ve been involved in every decision that’s been made.”

“See!” He pointed at Liam. “That’s what I’m talking about. I shouldn’t have been involved in every decision. They should have all beenmydecisions to begin with. If you had reservations about security and my living arrangements while in town,” he paused, “even Lila, you should have addressed them with me and not have her investigated, or take it upon yourself to fix my company. What if I wanted to use a different security company than the one you hired?”

Brian had valid points. “You needed security, and my team is loyal and trustworthy. I thought you would be pleased that Markos was able to verify that Lila wasn’t a spy and hasn’t had any contact with Anthony since college.”

He was, but Brian said, “That’s not the point.” Frustrated, he raked his hands through his hair. “I know that I haven’t always made the best decisions, and that makes it hard for you to trust me. I get that. But you’ve got to give me room to grow. You’ve got to allow me the space to make mistakes so that I can learn from them.”

Liam could understand his brother’s position to a point. “We’re dealing with the Luccesses.”

“I understand that. Look, you know that I respect and even admire you. You’re one hell of a businessman, but at the same time, you have to let me make my own decisions. I’m trying to be my own man. One that you don’t have to rescue constantly. How would you feel if you walked into your office, and I was on the phone with some decorator about your conference room? AndthenI asked your opinion on the color of the new drapes? What if you didn’t want to change the damn drapes?”

Liam listened to Brian’s every word. He was right. Liam was just so used to cleaning up Brian’s messes that he’d made a habit of doing what needed to be done. And, in this case, the stakes were high. One wrong move, and Brian could end up dead. Hell, they both could be dead. Liam had to give credit where credit was due. Brian had been impressive with every decision he’d made since the initial one. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” Brian said.

“Was Lila the reason for the bet with Luccesse?”

Brian dropped his chin to his chest then slowly lifted it, running a hand down the back of his head. “If I’m honest, every decision I’ve made since college has, in some way, had to do with Lila.”

Liam watched Brian intently. “You loved her that much?”

Brian exhaled. “Yeah, I did.”

Liam pondered Brian’s words. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in love,” he said thoughtfully.

---